Answer

In many Jain communities, women traditionally avoid going to the derasar during menstruation, even for darshan. This is followed as a matter of religious discipline, purity-related custom, and respect for temple practices.

So, according to common traditional practice:

• Pooja is generally avoided during periods.
• Touching idols, temple items, or doing rituals is avoided.
• Darshan in the derasar is also avoided in many families and sanghs.

However, practices may vary by sect, family, and local sangh.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, temple worship involves a high level of external and internal purity. During menstruation, many traditional Jain households follow the rule of not entering the derasar or participating in temple rituals.

This does not mean that a woman is spiritually impure or inferior. It is a traditional discipline connected with ritual purity and temple maryada.

During this time, one may still do spiritual activities at home, such as:

• Navkar Mantra jaap
• Samayik if comfortable and according to family practice
• Reading or listening to Jain pravachan
• Bhavna and inner reflection
• Mental darshan and devotion

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma gives great importance to bhav — inner purity, humility, and devotion. Even if one does not physically go to the derasar during periods, sincere inner devotion remains spiritually meaningful.

Takeaway

Traditionally, women avoid derasar darshan and pooja during periods, but they can continue devotion through mantra, bhavna, and spiritual reflection at home. For your specific practice, it is best to follow your family, guru, and local sangh maryada.